Will&Able, Z Energy (Z), and Anchor Milk have announced they plan to expand a trial of dedicated, closed-loop recycling bins at selected Z service stations.
Following the success of the initial recycling pilot at 10 Z sites late last year, a total of 39 Z service stations across the Auckland region will now participate in the next stage of the trial. The Z service stations will have collection bins installed where consumers can drop their empty Will&Able bottles, which will be collected and reused by Will&Able.
Will&Able, a better-for-planet cleaning product brand, is dedicated to employing people with disabilities who struggle to find permanent employment elsewhere.
Anchor milk bottles from the 39 participating Z cafés will also be collected and recycled into other valuable products, such as wrapping for product distribution and mesh products (for uses such as ground stability and fencing). Working in partnership with Will&Able to combine the bottle collection means that Anchor and Z can have a more positive impact.
Z’s Head of Community and Sustainability, Abbie Bull, says the trial expansion is a clear indicator of all parties’ commitment to the success of the closed-loop recycling model.
“We are committed to reducing the impact of our operations, including initiatives to reduce waste to landfill. By working with like-minded organisations, we can minimise plastic waste, extend the packaging lifespan and decrease the demand for new resources,” said Bull.
“Stopping at a service station to fuel up is a regular task for most people, so placing the collection points at Z service stations makes the process more convenient, two birds, one stone scenario.”
The trial expands Will&Able’s closed-loop recycling model; better-for-planet cleaning products are already sold in 100 percent recycled plastic bottles.
Craig Burston, Will&Able’s General Manager, said that the company is driven by a dual purpose: to empower people with disabilities by creating jobs and to achieve that with the lowest environmental impact possible.
The bottle collection at Z has been hugely successful so far, and customers have kept asking the convenience retailer to add new collection points. It makes sense for Will&Able to work with a company with a nationwide network so it can keep expanding as demand requires.
“This complements our existing partnership with Aon Insurance, which allows a similar drop-off model throughout their 70-branch nationwide network,” said Burston.
Anchor Milk spokesperson Rosie Cotter said the collection scheme is part of the brand’s commitment to delivering 100 percent recycle-ready packaging by 2025.
“Partnering with Z and Will&Able means that we can ensure our packaging avoids landfill to help us be an influence for good for New Zealand,” said Cotter.
